ECT is a medical treatment that involves electrically induced seizures to alleviate severe psychiatric conditions, most notably major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Despite historical stigma, modern ECT is a safe and highly effective option for treatment-resistant depression.

It is typically used when other treatments have failed, offering rapid symptom relief but with potential side effects like temporary memory loss. Researchers continue to refine ECT techniques to minimize cognitive side effects while maintaining its powerful therapeutic benefits.